Ensuring Learner Safety and Wellbeing When Teaching Sensitive Topics

Langan-Martin, J. , Sharp, L. , Karadzhov, D. , McNaughton, L., Weldon, M. and le Jeune d’Allegeershecque, J. (2021) Ensuring Learner Safety and Wellbeing When Teaching Sensitive Topics. Professionalism in Healthcare 2021: Adapting to the Seasons, 01 Oct 2021.

Abstract

The mental health and wellbeing of students is of upmost importance and it is becoming increasingly recognised that students at universities in the UK are experiencing more mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Some estimate that up to 1 in 4 students may experience a mental health problem. Some universities have observed an increase in students dropping out and a number of student suicides have occurred. With the pivot to remote teaching and learning that has occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of students, is crucial. We have experience of teaching a number of potentially distressing and/or triggering topics remotely on platforms such as Zoom, MS Teams, Moodle and FutureLearn. Such sensitive topics include child abuse and neglect, torture, gender-based violence, suicide and chaining. In recognition of the sensitive content that has been delivered online, we have developed a number of strategies to promote the well-being of our students and ensure as much as possible that the learning environment remains safe. In this presentation we explore some of our experiences of developing self-care resources for students. We discuss our experiences of moderating student comments when delivering online learning about suicide prevention and post-traumatic stress disorder and we present some student feedback about embedding self-care resources in the learning material.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: No
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McNaughton, Ms Laura and Sharp, Dr Laura and Weldon, Mr Matthew and Le Jeune D'Allegeershecque, Mr Julien and Langan-Martin, Dr Julie and Karadzhov, Dr Dimitar
• Authors: Langan-Martin, J., Sharp, L., Karadzhov, D., McNaughton, L., Weldon, M., and le Jeune d’Allegeershecque, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the Author

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